Elon chef Pinky Varghese wins culinary award

By Dan Anderson, staff

December 11, 2012

Varghese receives Gold Medal and ACE Copper Pot awards in competition

The winning team – from left, RDM Matt Rogers and chefs Paul Calice, Pinky Varghese, and Jordan Rodgers – display their awards, presented by Chris Hackem, COO, Education (left), Mark Nelson, President, Higher Education (second from right), and Mike Leone, EVP, Higher Education (far right).

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ARAMARK Chef Pink Varghese was part of a three-chef team that won first place, and the cherished Copper Pot, at the sixth annual Higher Education National ACE culinary competition, held in Orlando, Fla., in November. More than 130 ARAMARK chefs took part in 18 regional competitions throughout the year and 10 teams advanced to the finals. Varghese is the first Elon chef to win the awards.

ACE celebrates culinary skill. The final regional teams had 30 minutes to create and menu – and three hours to fully execute – three dishes from a basket of mystery ingredients. Judging was done by five Master Chefs and Varghese’s team was one of only two to receive a gold rating from the ACF (American Culinary Federation).

The Gold Medal and ACE Copper Pot went to the Southeast Region, represented by Varghese, Paul Calice (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill) and Jordan Rogers (Salem Academy).

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